Davidy
New Member
Hello all!
I have just taken in an 8 year old sulcata rescue. She is 15L"X11W"X8H" and weighs about 30 pounds and seems healthy. We were not expecting her so I'm temporarily housing her in a large bathroom. She has a hiding spot under the built in vanity that I've hung a ceramic heat emitter. She seems to be happy there while I construct a temporary outdoor pen (this weekend) and start work on a permanent home in the yard. Her temporary enclosure will be 9'X12,' has plenty of green grass and will be surrounded by staked cinder block.
I have lots of experience with box turtles (6), aquatic turtles (4) and a Russian tortoise. I've had one of my red eared sliders for 20 years and an ornate box turtle for 15 years. Most of the others have been with me for 5 - 10 years.
Anyway I have questions about feeding Lilly the sulcata. I tried spineless prickly pear pads and she loves them. She ate an entire small pad in minutes. How often should I offer cactus pads and how many? She also chows down on Mazuri pellets. Should I let her eat as much as she wants? I purchased some loose bermuda hay but so far she doesn't seem too interested. I understand that grasses are most important but also read that cactus pads are another natural part of a wild sulcata's diet.
Any ideas?
I have just taken in an 8 year old sulcata rescue. She is 15L"X11W"X8H" and weighs about 30 pounds and seems healthy. We were not expecting her so I'm temporarily housing her in a large bathroom. She has a hiding spot under the built in vanity that I've hung a ceramic heat emitter. She seems to be happy there while I construct a temporary outdoor pen (this weekend) and start work on a permanent home in the yard. Her temporary enclosure will be 9'X12,' has plenty of green grass and will be surrounded by staked cinder block.
I have lots of experience with box turtles (6), aquatic turtles (4) and a Russian tortoise. I've had one of my red eared sliders for 20 years and an ornate box turtle for 15 years. Most of the others have been with me for 5 - 10 years.
Anyway I have questions about feeding Lilly the sulcata. I tried spineless prickly pear pads and she loves them. She ate an entire small pad in minutes. How often should I offer cactus pads and how many? She also chows down on Mazuri pellets. Should I let her eat as much as she wants? I purchased some loose bermuda hay but so far she doesn't seem too interested. I understand that grasses are most important but also read that cactus pads are another natural part of a wild sulcata's diet.
Any ideas?